There are countless ways to cook chili: in a slow cooker, oven, on the stovetop, or even in an air fryer. But often, the true star of the show isn’t the cooking method, but rather the blend of spices that infuse the base of tomatoes and traditionally, beef mince. While many reach for Worcestershire or brown sauce to add a unique twist, Matt Webster, a food and flavor expert from Seasoned Pioneers, suggests an unexpected alternative: cinnamon.
Often used in sweet bakes, Matt asserts that cinnamon has a place in savory dishes too. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, he said: “Enhance your chili con carne into a restaurant quality dish, in the comfort of your home, by adding a couple of teaspoons of cinnamon. Cinnamon is the perfect spice to add to this home-cooked meal, as it rounds out all the flavours in the dish, bringing warmth to the chili con carne – without adding too much spice and overpowering other flavours in the dish.”
Ground cinnamon is just as essential as garlic and chili powder, according to Matt.
Matt’s Chili Con Carne Recipe
Ingredients:
* One can of kidney beans, drained
* One can of chopped tomatoes
* Two tbsp tomato paste
* 450g minced beef
* One onion, diced
* Two tbsp olive oil
* One tsp smoked garlic powder
* One tsp smoked paprika
* Two tsp ground cinnamon
* 1⁄2 tsp chili powder
* 1⁄2 tsp salt
* 1⁄2 tsp pepper
Method:
1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over a low flame. Add the onion and cook for around five minutes until translucent.
2. Increase the flame to medium heat, then add the beef and cook for a further three minutes.
3. Now add the spices: smoked paprika, garlic powder, cinnamon, chili powder, and tomato paste, and mix until well combined.
4. Tip in the kidney beans followed by the chopped tomatoes and season generously with salt and pepper, stirring again to ensure everything is well mixed.
5. Now lower the flame to low heat and leave the chili con carne to simmer for around 10 minutes until the consistency has thickened.
Matt suggests: “Serve with some sour cream, guacamole, cheese, and tortilla chips to create your own Mexican feast from the comfort of your home!”
